Many of the golf conditioning programs that are being promoted today fail to use posture as a building block. Posture should not only be stressed as a fundamental by teaching pro's, but should also be the basis of any golf conditioning program. If there is one fundamental most neglected by recreational and pro golfers, it would have to be posture.

What is good posture? In Paul Chek's new book on golf conditioning, The Golf Biomechanics Manual: Whole in One Golf Conditioning, posture is defined as, "the position from which movement begins and ends."(Chek, 1999) For the game of golf, static posture would be represented as the body's position while addressing the ball, before any movement has been initiated. It would be safe to say, if you start your swing in the wrong spot it will end up in the wrong spot.

In one of the finest golf instruction books ever published, Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, Mr. Hogan dedicates the whole second chapter to stance and posture. Ben Hogan states, "…incorrect stance and faulty posture greatly affect the success of the entire swing." (Hogan, 1985) Not only will good posture improve your ability to strike the ball more consistently, it will also improve power, stability and eliminate chronic golfing injuries.

The following photographs, of C.P.G.A. tour pro Andrew Smeeth, show poor and near optimal posture positions at address, from side and front view. These live pictures have been adapted from illustrated pictures in Paul Chek's book on golf conditioning (Chek, 1999) and Ben Hogan's book on the fundamentals of golf. (Hogan, 1985)

Incorrect posture side view. Low back is flat (kyphotic) and upper back is rounded (kyphotic). This allows the shoulders and head to move to far forward.

Good posture side view. Shoulder is over the base of support (foot), spine is extended and head is in alignment with the rest of the spine.

Incorrect posture front view. Arms are rotated inward, which lets shoulders and head come forward. Head and shoulders are deviated from midline of stance.
 

Good posture front view. Head, shoulders and club head are in good alignment. Arms are rotated outward which keeps shoulders and head back.
 

In future golf conditioning tips we will show how improving flexibility, stability and muscular endurance will improve posture for long-term progress. Any changes in the static posture that occur will have an effect on the golf swing; therefore all golfer's should consult their golf pro to make any necessary alterations in swing mechanics.

For more information regarding this topic you can contact Lance Barrett at (604)859-6659 or (604)866-9814.

References Cited:

Chek, Paul. The Golf Biomechanics Manual: Whole in One Golf Conditioning.
Encinitas, CA: A C.H.E.K. Institute Publication, 1999.